Fighting game tournament "EVO Japan 2019" - Event Report

A gathering of top gamers from all over the world! Fukuoka was filled with excitement during this three day tournament!

We had the chance to check-out "EVO Japan 2019!" This year's event took place in Fukuoka from Friday 15th to Sunday 17th February! Entrants competed in a range of different games. There was six main tournaments: "TEKKEN 7," "BLAZBLUE CROSS TAG BATTLE," "SOULCALIBUR VI," "THE KING OF FIGHTERS XIV," "STREET FIGHTER V ARCADE EDITION," and "GUILTY GEAR Xrd REV 2!" Approximately 2,500 gamers from all over the world entered! The venue also hosted around 20 smaller scale side events while the main competitions were taking place. This installment of EVO Japan proved to be a huge success and welcomed close to 13,000 guests! I visited various booths on Day Two of the event. Most of the stands on the first floor were related to gaming. The exhibits generated a great deal of interest among passersby. On Day Three, I had a chance to see the finals of the "TEKKEN 7" and "STREET FIGHTER V ARCADE EDITION" (hereafter referred to as SFV AE) competitions! The audience were enthralled by the incredible skills that were on display and the competitors' emotion-filled facial expressions! The crowd couldn't take their eyes off the big screen! The gamers' moves and tactics drew massive cheers from everyone inside the venue! "EVO Japan 2019" was a gathering of top gamers that had a wonderfully international vibe. This was the first time that Fukuoka had ever hosted this kind of huge scale e-sports event. It proved to be a fresh, new experience for those that are new to the scene! It seems that e-sports in Fukuoka will go on to attract more and more interest in the future, so we'll be sure keep an eye on this exciting movement!

◎DAY2

The area in the center of the photograph is where the qualifying rounds took place.

The competitive atmosphere was amazing! The first floor was filled with excitement!

A lot of participants brought their own controllers! Participants could also borrow a controller if they needed one!

More than 1,000 people entered the "SFV AE" competition. Congratulations go to the Momochi who was able to emerge victorious!

We got the chance to meet Punk and ask him about his time in Fukuoka. With a big smile on his face he said, ​"​Fukuoka City is very beautiful! I want to try some ramen before I go home!"

"It was a blast!"... The competition was tough, but Grand finalist Fuudo still had a great time!

Thank you "EVO Japan 2019!" It was a truly memorable event!

◎Check-out some of the awesome exhibition booths that were set-up during the event!

● NTT docomo

State of the art technology, such as 5G and 8KVR, gave visitors a 360 degree view of how professional gamers are playing!

Guests had the chance to compete against professional gamers. Participants could then watch a recording of the contest alongside pro-gamers in the VR environment and get some valuable feedback!

● NISSAN

The "GT-R nismo," which appears in the famous racing game "Gran Turismo SPORT," was displayed during the event!

The gauge can display speeds of up 340 km per hour! The automobile is also equipped with a GPS feature. The car's limiter automatically turns off when it enters a race track! The interior is luxurious, but also super sporty!

● SNK

Cospplayers LEONA and TERRY from "SNK HEROINES" were also at the event!

A new version of the beat 'em up game "SAMURAI SPIRITS" is set to be released after a 10 year hiatus! Make sure to check-it-out!